‘step
in stone’
- a multi-disciplinary art project featuring work, by fourteen
leading artists -offers a unique opportunity to encounter
contemporary artworks while exploring the spectacular, wild
landscapes of working and abandoned quarries. Local
and international artists, all with connections to the South West,
are creating a series of site-specific artworks
inspired by
the nature of quarries and their
place in the cultural and industrial heritage of the Mendips.
Opening
in July and stepping up in 3 phases to its finale in October, the
event will occupy 6 different venues. Step 1 starts on 8th
July at Somerset
Earth Science Centre,
near Shepton Mallet. On 15th
August, Step 2 starts at Westdown/Asham and Halecombe quarries and
Step 3 will be part of Somerset Art Weeks Festival’s Momentum
programme, 3rd
– 18th
October, at Fairy Cave Quarry, Black Swan Arts Centre and Frome
Museum. Special events include workshops, artist talks and guided
walks run in collaboration
with ecologists from Somerset Wildlife Trust's Save
Our Magnificent Meadows project. Walks in Westdown/Asham Quarry will
lead groups into stunning areas, normally restricted.
The
quarries' natural history, ecology and geology are inspiring works in
surprising forms. Tessa Farmer's installations will feature tiny
skeletal, anarchic fairies, preserved insects and taxidermy.
Bristol
poet, Ralph Hoyte, is creating a downloadable aural word-symphony and
a motion
activated poetic sound
intervention.
Artmusic
will perform ‘Echo’,
a theatrical response to the rock itself and the mechanics of
quarrying, in Westdown Quarry (22/23rd August) and each weekend of
step 3 in Fairy Cave Quarry, tying in with family days.
A
Sculpture Design Competition was recently held to engage young people
in the project. Winner, Charlotte McKeown, will create her sculpture
with help from 'step
in stone' artists,
for exhibition at SESC. All entries will be on show during the
finale at Black Swan Arts, with the top 20 designs in a special
display area. Some of the work at Halecombe will be the product of
school workshops run in July with Fiona and Suzie as part of SAW’s
inspirED educational programme.
Funding
for step
in stone has
come primarily from Arts Council England/National Lottery with
additional support from IdeasTap crowdfunding, Mendip Hills Fund,
Somerset Art Works, Gane Trust, Frome Town Council and partners
Somerset Earth Science Centre and Black Swan Arts amongst others.
Leaflets
and maps will be available at step
in stone
venues, Frome and Shepton Tourist offices and other local outlets.
For further details about step
in stone or
to book a workshop, guided walk or artist talk visit:
We will be unveiling a sculpture made that day by our young winner of the under 20’s sculpture design competition, Charlotte McKeown.
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